Larval Infection Model
Larval Infection Model - Related Videos
02:26
Development of a Zebrafish Larval Infection Model Using Microgavage
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2026
Source: Li, J., et al. Development of a Larval Zebrafish Infection Model for Clostridioides difficile. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).This video demonstrates the microgavage procedure, where an anesthetized zebrafish larva is immobilized in agarose and orally injected with a pathogenic bacterium using a tracer-guided needle. The non-invasive delivery mimics natural infection, enabling analysis of bacterial replication, toxin release, and intestinal epithelial damage.
09:13
Development of a Larval Zebrafish Infection Model for Clostridioides difficile
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Cited by 5 •
2020
Presented here is a safe and effective method to infect zebrafish larvae with fluorescently labeled anaerobic C. difficile by microinjection and noninvasive microgavage.
12:30
Use of Galleria mellonella as a Model Organism to Study Legionella pneumophila Infection
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Cited by 108 •
2013
The larva of the wax moth Galleria mellonella was recently established as an in vivo model to study Legionella pneumophila infection. Here, we demonstrate fundamental techniques to characterize the pathogenesis of Legionella in the larvae, including inoculation, measurement of bacterial virulence and replication as well as extraction and analysis of infected hemocytes.
11:16
Non-invasive Imaging of the Innate Immune Response in a Zebrafish Larval Model of Streptococcus iniae Infection
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Cited by 22 •
2015
Here, we present a protocol for the generation and imaging of a localized bacterial infection in the zebrafish otic vesicle.
08:29
Drosophila Larval IHC
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2023
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique used to visualize the presence and location of proteins within tissues. Drosophila larvae are particularly amenable to IHC because of the ease with which they can be processed for staining. Additionally, the larvae are transparent, meaning that some tissues can be visualized without the need for dissection. In IHC, proteins are ultimately detected with antibodies that specifically bind to “epitopes” within the protein of interest. In order to preserve...
FAQs
Outcome measures should be matched to the biological question. Survival provides an overall disease outcome, whereas pathogen burden indicates the extent of infection. Behavioral changes, melanization, hemocyte activity, and antimicrobial responses add evidence about host damage and innate defense. Examining these measures together helps distinguish altered host resistance from changes in microbial growth.
A defined microbial dose makes comparisons between experimental groups more interpretable. If the starting challenge is controlled, differences in survival, pathogen burden, or immune-associated readouts can be considered alongside the experimental variable rather than an uncertain inoculum. This standardization is especially useful when comparing microbial virulence or evaluating whether an antimicrobial treatment changes infection outcomes.
These measurements provide complementary indicators of innate immune activity during infection. Melanization records a visible defense response, hemocyte activity reflects the contribution of larval immune cells, and antimicrobial responses indicate production or activity of infection-fighting defenses. Assessing them together can reveal how a pathogen affects host protection beyond the survival result alone.
The model occupies an intermediate position between simplified cell-based assays and more complex mammalian studies. It permits infection outcomes and host responses to be examined in larvae while retaining practical advantages such as low cost, rapid experimental timelines, and suitability for screening. Findings can therefore help determine which questions or candidates merit more complex in vivo evaluation.
A basic workflow begins by selecting larvae and introducing a defined microbial dose under controlled experimental conditions. Researchers then monitor outcomes such as survival and behavioral changes, while measuring pathogen burden, melanization, hemocyte activity, or antimicrobial responses as appropriate. Comparing these observations across experimental groups connects the infection challenge with disease and immune outcomes.
It is useful when researchers need to examine antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity within the same practical experimental system. Treatment groups can be compared using survival, pathogen burden, and host-response measurements, helping identify whether a candidate improves infection outcomes without overlooking harmful effects. Its rapid timelines and screening suitability support early prioritization before more complex studies.